Does A Supporting Letter From GP Help With Housing?

Sometimes council housing applicants base their request for priority housing on medical grounds. Through this blog post, we will discuss whether a supporting letter from your GP can help with improving your rank on the priority list for housing and how it can help in speeding up the process. Readers will also find a sample letter that they can personalise as per their needs as well as some details on the criteria priority for council housing.

Does A Supporting Letter From GP Help With Housing?

Yes, a supporting letter from your GP can help you with claiming a higher position on the priority list for council housing. In fact, it is very common for GPs to receive requests from council housing applicants for supporting letters when their applications are based on the medical condition or disability of a family member.

A letter of support is generally written by a medical professional to increase applicants’ priority listing in their wait for council housing. Generally, it should be professional in tone, crips, to the point and only state facts that can be supported by evidential documents (if need be).

There are times when the applicant prepares the draft on their own and shares it with the person of authority who may make amendments to the draft prior to penning down a signature.

The purpose of such a letter is to state the claimant’s health challenges in their current residence; which may be life-threatening in some cases. With the support of such recommendations, claimants are expected to get a higher priority band for council housing so that their living conditions may be improved.

If you or a family member are faced with a medical condition that is being worsened due to the house you currently live in or the medical condition is a disability and your current house does cannot provide for disability needs (despite possible modifications) you can apply for council housing. Depending on the severity of the condition, you will be allotted a band to indicate your position on the priority list for council housing.

How To Write a Letter Of Support For Priority Housing?

The letter should start with the intent or purpose of the communication; stating how the benefit to be claimed by an applicant is going to have a positive impact on their lives.

This can be followed by details regarding the applicant’s condition, the negative impact on it due to their current housing arrangements and the improvements expected due to better living conditions.

The letter should end on a positive, optimistic note without intending to sound decisive. The tone may be of a recommendation; however, it should be a request and not a command. Writers of such letters (whether it is the applicant or the signing authority) should bear in mind that the purpose of letters of priority is to share facts; the decision to assign council housing on priority will remain at the discretion of council authorities. Therefore, they are advised to share as many facts and evidence along with the letter to improve their chances of being assigned a council house at the earliest possible.

Following are some of the essential parts of a letter of support:

name of applicant
name of author
relationship between applicant and author
duration of the relationship between applicant and author
background of applicant’s condition
impact of support on applicant’s condition
essential aspects of housing that the applicant requires (in case of a disability)

What Is An Example Of A Supporting Letter From GP For Priority Housing?

Below is an example of a letter from GP to support a claimant’s council housing application for priority housing; based on medical grounds:

Dear To Whom It May Concern,

This is with reference to the application being filed at your council office by Mr. (insert name) with the request for a claim to priority considering their medical condition.

I am Dr. (insert name) who has been consulting the applicant for the past five years now for lung disease.

I am sure you would understand that their privately rented house is not in a liveable condition due to the mould and dampness on the interiors and will only add to the health challenges that my patient is currently suffering.

Additionally, with his employment status being shifted from full time to part-time due to weak health, he is unable to make ends meet by staying at a privately rented house.

It is, therefore, requested that Mr. (insert name) be granted council housing on a priority basis so that his health does not deteriorate any further.

Enclosed are some of the medical recommendations made to the applicant over the course of the past few months by the undersigned. Should you require further details regarding his medical records, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Sincerely,

(name of author)

(position held by author)

(organisation/department)

How Can A Letter Of Support Help For Priority Housing?

In case of a non-serious medium-range medical condition, you will be awarded a Band 3 while serious conditions elevate the applicant to Band 1. In case of community work done by the applicant or their family members, a Band 2 might be assigned by the council; however, there is no confirmation on the allotment unless an application is filed along with supportive evidence.

In such cases, where council housing (and in some cases council housing that meets specific needs on medical grounds) is imperative for the health and safety of a claimant, a letter of support from their doctor can help in speeding up the application process and the council may consider giving them a higher band on the priority list so that an early transfer can be managed. Otherwise, it can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to find an appropriate council house once your claim has been approved.

It is essential to submit a Medical assessment form along with other supportive documents (as per the guidance of your local council) when you apply for council housing on medical grounds.

Can I Get A Council House On Medical Grounds?

Yes, you can get a council house on medical grounds. In fact, depending on the severity of the medical issues being faced by an applicant or their family member, the council housing application may be given priority over others.

Serious medical conditions that qualify for a high priority allotment for council housing include the following:

the applicant’s condition is expected to be terminal within twelve months and they need re-housing for appropriate care
the applicant’s current place of residence is contributing to their life-threatening condition and it cannot be resolved within a short period of time (or at all)
the applicant is living in an overcrowded property due to which there risk of life-threatening infection
They are housebound due to a lack of wheelchair access in the house
They can not be released from hospital in their current home due to lack of required amenities

Can I Get Council House If I Have Disabled Child?

Yes, not only will you qualify for council housing if you have a disabled child but you will be put on priority so that you may receive council housing at the earliest possible.

However, not everyone who has a child facing disabilities will be looking for a council house. Depending on the needs of their child, they may make modifications to their existing home and claim state benefits such as Disability Living Allowance.

It is in cases where the parents’ previous home becomes unsuitable for a child with disabilities or they can no longer afford it due to reduced income (in case one of the parents had to leave their job to tend to their child), would they be in need for council housing.

In addition to council housing, you will also be eligible for the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to tend to your child’s care and mobility needs. DLA is a monthly allowance paid directly into your account to tend to the needs of your disabled child. Depending on the extent of care and their individual requirements, claimants may receive anything between £23 to £89 for the Care Component and between £23 to £65 for the mobility Component.

Additionally, your local council can help you with short breaks, holiday play schemes, care at home as well as financial help. They can also help you apply for direct payments if you claim benefits.

Who Is Eligible For Council Housing?

Generally, each council has their own rules for the provision of council homes. This is called an “allocation scheme”; according to which applicants’ eligibility criteria and priorities are assigned.

However, as a basic rule, anyone who is above 18 years of age, low on income and savings can apply for council housing. Some councils also require a “local connection” of the applicant. This means that either they have lived in the vicinity for a number of years or they have a family or job in the area.

Key criteria for council housing eligibility include the following:

the applicants hold British or Irish citizenship
they have indefinite leave to remain
they fall under settled status (under the EU settlement scheme)
they are refugees or under humanitarian protection
they are a Commonwealth citizen with a right of abode

Who Gets Priority For Council Housing?

While each council has an individual allocation scheme to follow in terms of assigning priority to council housing applicants, claimants who fulfil any of the following criteria are expected to be higher on priority:

if someone is legally homeless
they have to move homes due to a serious medical condition or disability
due to hardship-anything from medical treatment or potential danger to changing jobs
currently residing in an over-crowded house or under poor living conditions

Conclusion:

A supporting letter from your GP can serve as a helpful tool in increasing your rank on the priority list to attain council housing. If a council housing claimant applies on medical grounds or on the basis of a family members’ disability, they will be able to get priority for council housing.

FAQs: Does A Supporting Letter From GP Help With Housing?

Does a doctor’s letter help with housing?

Yes, if you apply for council housing on medical grounds, a doctor’s letter can help in increasing your rank on the priority list.

What is a supporting letter for housing?

A supporting letter for housing is usually written by doctors to share the medical details of a council housing applicant in support of their claim that their current house is inappropriate for their medical needs.

Do I have to pay for a letter from my doctor?

No, you don’t have to pay your doctor for a supporting letter to help with oucnicl housing.

Can you be rehoused due to mental health?

Yes, you can be rehoused if your current living conditions bear a negative impact on your mental health.

What makes you priority for council housing?

If someone is legally homeless or they are sufferring from a serious medical condition or disability or are currently residing in an over-crowded house or under poor living conditions, it makes them priority for council housing.